This is my one page proposal that I sent as an application to the bt young scientist
Speeding up the game of hurling
Our Young Scientist project is focused on putting a sensor in a sliotar (hurling ball) to count how many steps a player takes with the ball in their hand.We have made a prototype which consists of an accelerometer and a pedometer inside the sliotar.
Accelerometer work by the piezoelectric effect which uses microscopic crystal structures that become stressed due to accelerative forces. These crystals create a voltage from the stress, and the accelerometer interprets the voltage to determine velocity and orientation.Pedometers can measure your steps because your body swings from side to side as you walk. Each swing counts as a one step. Multiplying the number of ''swings'' by the average length of your steps tells you how far you've gone. This same technology is used by major sporting teams such as such as Galway, Manchester Untied and the Connacht rugby team, to track the team’s stats such as distance covered and speed of each player on the field.
When the ball is in the players hand it is moving at its slowest, this will be tracked by the accelerometer which will then send a signal to the pedometer to start tracking the steps.
We have connected the sliotar to an app, to count how many steps a players takes. Eventually we hope to have it connected to the referees watch, their would be a light on the watch to tell the referee when a player goes over the allowed four steps. Their will also be an on and off switch for the referee for when the ball goes out of play.
We have access to both my clubs hurling teams and my school hurling teams, and we tested and are continuing to test the prototype sliotars. We will be able to use them in training matches between themselves.
We have been in touch with many sliotar manufactures with the design. They are all interested in our design and have offered to help in any way they can. We learned from them that they are already starting to put technology into sliotars. The technology is in all ''Official'' balls from next year on and this technology will be used hand and hand with an app to tell the referee if a ball is official or not. Our design builds on this use of smart technology in hurling.
We believe this invention could revolutionise the game of hurling . Players will have to get rid of the ball quicker which will make the game quicker which makes it more enjoyable to watch. It takes some pressure off referees and helps them with their decision. No more will you here ‘steps ref’ on the sideline. It’s time to bring hurling into the era of technology.
Speeding up the game of hurling
Our Young Scientist project is focused on putting a sensor in a sliotar (hurling ball) to count how many steps a player takes with the ball in their hand.We have made a prototype which consists of an accelerometer and a pedometer inside the sliotar.
Accelerometer work by the piezoelectric effect which uses microscopic crystal structures that become stressed due to accelerative forces. These crystals create a voltage from the stress, and the accelerometer interprets the voltage to determine velocity and orientation.Pedometers can measure your steps because your body swings from side to side as you walk. Each swing counts as a one step. Multiplying the number of ''swings'' by the average length of your steps tells you how far you've gone. This same technology is used by major sporting teams such as such as Galway, Manchester Untied and the Connacht rugby team, to track the team’s stats such as distance covered and speed of each player on the field.
When the ball is in the players hand it is moving at its slowest, this will be tracked by the accelerometer which will then send a signal to the pedometer to start tracking the steps.
We have connected the sliotar to an app, to count how many steps a players takes. Eventually we hope to have it connected to the referees watch, their would be a light on the watch to tell the referee when a player goes over the allowed four steps. Their will also be an on and off switch for the referee for when the ball goes out of play.
We have access to both my clubs hurling teams and my school hurling teams, and we tested and are continuing to test the prototype sliotars. We will be able to use them in training matches between themselves.
We have been in touch with many sliotar manufactures with the design. They are all interested in our design and have offered to help in any way they can. We learned from them that they are already starting to put technology into sliotars. The technology is in all ''Official'' balls from next year on and this technology will be used hand and hand with an app to tell the referee if a ball is official or not. Our design builds on this use of smart technology in hurling.
We believe this invention could revolutionise the game of hurling . Players will have to get rid of the ball quicker which will make the game quicker which makes it more enjoyable to watch. It takes some pressure off referees and helps them with their decision. No more will you here ‘steps ref’ on the sideline. It’s time to bring hurling into the era of technology.